Mushtaq will help England to exploit Indian condition: Akram

SummaryLegendary seamer Wasim Akram feels the presence of former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed as a spin bowling coach of England will boost the team and prepare them better to exploit the Indian conditions during the four-Test series starting in Ahmedabad tomorrow.

"The double-hundred in Ranji will give him a lot of confidence. The left-hander will also be a handy bowling option for Dhoni. He can turn the ball well on Indian decks and that will give Dhoni more bowling options," he said.

On India's spin attack, Akram said: "I don't really know what combination the Indian think-tank will pick for the first Test in Ahmedabad. All spinners are experienced and are very dangerous in home conditions.

"Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha can be quite a handful and with Yuvi being the non-regular option, the Indian spin attack is quite a force," he added.

Akram also praised England's Graeme Swann, saying the spinner can pose a big threat to the Indian batsmen.

"England, of course, will be heavily relying on Swann, who has been in tremendous form. Having bagged 192 wickets in 46 Tests, the off-spinner doesn't have the 'doosra' but his variation with pace is tremendous. He will be a big threat to the Indian batsmen," Akram said.

"I firmly believe the team with the better batting will clinch the series. Both teams have the experience to handle panic situations and that will make the series more interesting. And if the warm-up games are anything to go by, England have showed the gumption of taking the fight into the Indian camp," he added.